Note to Self: Must Remember Maya More Often

After I took Beckett to school this morning, I returned home, grabbed myself a cup of coffee (but not in my Las Vegas mug, RIP), and walked outside. I have been busy, busy, busy lately getting things together for finals, trudging through the daily readings, going to class, taking care of B's fever, and whatnot. It was a pleasant break from everything to sit, facing the woods (which have changed from green to various shades of yellow, red, and brown), listening to the wind chimes, and enjoying the cool breeze that reminds me autumn has finally arrived. My mind turned instantly to the blog (it seems the beast has conquered the master). I sat, trying to think of the events of the past week -- conversations with friends, Beckett's adventures (or misadventures, depending on your outlook), classroom incidents, etc. These things came to mind:

My father took Beckett to Waffle House for dinner on Sunday. While he was brushing his teeth later and getting ready for bed, Beckett told me, "Mama, I need to throw up. That waffle didn't cooperate with me." Huh? Where did that come from? Incidentally, he did not throw up.

I thought also about apartment searching, thrift store shopping, and discussions about fireplace colors.

And then there's last nights discussion about naming future children after Supreme Court justices (Harlan, yes. Scalia, NO). Law school, what have you done to us?

Then there's the triumphant moment when I answered a Constitutional law question without even having to think about it. As it turns out, studying helps. It's the craziest thing.

We (Brandi, Paige, and I) sat in the library for HOURS yesterday, quietly chipping away at the massive amount of work that is to be done prior to finals.

All in all, the past week has been relatively boring and low-key (but on a happy note, I got all of my Law Review timesheets turned in). Well, boring, but overall leaving me feeling overwhelmed and relatively inadequate. This too shall pass, I suppose.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. - Galatians 5:22-23 & 26 (Hmm, something to think about in the coming weeks)

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

-Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman from And Still I Rise